Re: Traveling Salesman Syndrome

Hi Fred,
Glad you saw what I did. I have found alot of GCode
files from other people with the same problem. The people
who used the Eagle software to make circuit boards never
mentioned this problem. I did a large circuit using the
Eagle software. The machine spends more time moving
then cutting. Tiny circuits don't show the problem. When you
layout your pads and traces in Eagle, you better do it
in order or the final GCode will have TSS big time.I find
the cheap fix is to trace the DXF or PLT file with a new layer
and then use that. John Kleinbauer pointed this problem
out to me. He also told me how to avoid the problem. I
found it odd that the problem was never discussed in this
forum.

Bob

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Fred Smith" <imserv@v...> wrote:
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., cncdxf@a... wrote:
> > Hi Fred,
> > My GCodes are made in a text editor or with Turbocad. I
> > found it strange nobody talks about making their GCodes faster
> > by removing excessive traveling. I have trained myself to draw
> > my DXF files the same way I want the part milled. I guess when
> > your machine can move at 50ft per minute, 30 extra traveling
> > moves make little difference. My machine only moves at 12" per
> > minute so I have to be resourceful.
> >
>
> I went back to the Harley file and just connected it as received
> (roughly 8 inches wide by 6 inches high). Without any retractions
it
> was about 194 inches long. With retractions added it came up to
674
> inches. As you said the file is rather randomized. I then used
the
> Vector reorganize function. This does not change the length of the
> geometry, but evaluates it so that as one contour is completed, it
> automatically jumps to the next nearest, completes it, then jumps
to
> the next nearest, etc. When retractions were added to this file,
the
> total length of chains was reduced to 253 inches. It took about 10-
> 20 seconds to do the whole analysis and optimization.
>
> (My default retraction settings are .4 high in Z between contours,
> and .8 beginning and 1.6 ending. The total horizontal connections
was
> only about 21 inches)
>
> This capability is built into the VectorCad-only, and works great
for
> hole pattern drilling too.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Fred Smith
> IMService